You are here

England face Brazil at the Maracana Stadium for the first time since their 2-0 win in 1984 and as the fixture has always enjoyed a unique feel to it, talkSPORT has dug out six of our favourite goals from England v Brazil clashes of the past.

England v Brazil 2013Classy Lampard wins it
England had not beaten Brazil since 1990 when a Gary Lineker goal was the difference at Wembley, but Roy Hodgson's men put an end to that curse when Frank Lampard scored a typically stylish goal. Wayne Rooney put the side ahead and after Fred equalised for the visitors, the Chelsea midfielder made it 2-1 on the hour.

Brazil v England 1970Jairzinho's finishing touch
The group match of the 1970 World Cup remains an iconic fixture for a number of reasons. England were the defending champions and Brazil boasted one of the greatest teams in history and the two conspired to produce a plethora of memorable moments. From Gordon Banks' mind boggling save, to Bobby Moore's sublime tackle, it was a fixture which encapsulated a change in football. However, it would be Brazil who came out on top this time, as Jairzinho finished a stunning move by the South Americans with this beauty of a strike.

England v Brazil 1995Graeme Le Saux's thunderbolt
From a brilliant team goal to a virtuoso solo effort, Graeme Le Saux's strike against Brazil in 1995 remains one of the finest strikes seen on Wembley turf. As part of the Umbro Cup England played host to the reigning world champions and took a surprise lead when a half cleared free-kick made its way to Le Saux who, lurking at the edge of the box, controlled the rising ball on his chest before looping a volley over the stretched hand of Zetti into the Brazil net. The goal would eventually count for little, as Brazil scored three times in the second half to win the clash.

Brazil v England 1984John Barnes' mesmerising run
One of only three England victories over Brazil, the 2-0 result at the Maracana in 1984 will be remembered as one of the three lions' greatest, thanks in no small part to a John Barnes wonder goal that any Brazilian would have been proud of. At his mesmeric best, Barnes weaved his way through the hosts' midfield and defence, before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting in cooly with his right boot.

England v Brazil 2002Ronaldinho breaks English hearts
With all eyes on Brazil's number nine, Ronaldo, at the 2002 World Cup, it was the number 11 who broke English hearts, as Ronaldinho memorably sent Sven-Goran Eriksson's men packing with his long-range free-kick. After Rivaldo had cancelled out Michael Owen's first half opener, Ronaldinho stepped up to embarrass David Seaman with a speculative effort which caught the England goalkeeper unaware, sending Brazil into the semi finals.

England v Brazil 1956Didi shows samba flair
The first ever fixture between England and Brazil was a friendly at Wembley in 1956, a match the hosts won 4-2. Despite being an exhibition, it featured Stanley Matthews, the first ever recipient of the Ballon d'Or award, and while the Blackpool legend grabbed the headlines for his marauding wing play, it was a Brazilian who grabbed the goal of the game. Picking the ball up outside of the England box, Waldyr Perreira Didi snaked his way through the England defence before lashing a shot beyond Reg Matthews in goal. The fixture would go on to have a certain significance to Brazilians, as the Selecao subsequently went on to win their first World Cup two years later, leading many to believe that defeat to England prompted tournament success.